TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I am thinking about applying for Baker's direct TC and would love for some advice when approaching the first application question Discuss a topic that you are passionate about. How did you become interested in it, and how has it influenced your personal or professional life. (300 words max) *

What is the best recommended structure for this question? I am also not sure what topic I can passionately discuss whilst also linking it back to professional skills

You don't have to link the answer back to professional skills - it is important to focus on what the question is asking of you first, although often naturally skills can come out of the "how has it influenced your personal or professional life".

There won't be a set structure for this - there are different ways in which you can approach it, but I would suggest that you at least cover the following:

• A short explanation of the topic
• Details/context as to how you became passionate about it
• How your involvement/exploration of the topic has benefitted you or shaped your journey experiences

 

[loe]

These are Russell Cooke's application questions:

Discuss a news article that interests you and why.
Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility (or something you are proud of) and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application.
Please tell us about something which did not turn out as you expected.
If you couldn’t work in law, what do you think you would do and why?

None of them specifically relate to the firm, so does anyone have advice for how I should tailor my answers to explain my specific interest in Russell Cooke?

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman Wondering if you could help me with this

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Taylor Wessing AC whoooo 🎉

Question- they offer both in person and online ACs. I theoretically could do both. I do think in person ACs allow you to show your personality more but I feel that online interviews are less nerve wracking and I'm able to keep more calm and deliver better answers.
Do you think it is better to do in person or online? do they take in consideration the fact that we might have notes if we're online and therefore perform less well in person?
Any advice/opinion is welcome!!

I think you should do the method that works best for you - for some people that will be online and for others that will be in person. I really don't think there is one better way and that its more about what would work best for your at that time.

 

[PFOenthusiast]

CMS Virtual Interview (Bristol office, applied on the day of the deadline).

If anyone can share any insights then I would be very grateful, and happy to share insights into other interviews and ACs.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman Wondering if you could help me with this

I wouldn't actually try to fit in "why Russell Cooke" into these questions. The firm clearly does not need this information at this stage and is likely to assess it at a later stage of the recruitment process.

 

[Legal Wizard]

Morgan Lewis phone interview invite 👌

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Guys should I email withers for an update? I applied for March scheme (17th) and haven't heard back post online test. I feel like I am on the rejection pile maybe but it's ridiculous, like tell me my outcome

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I just realised that we all got individually assigned numbers for the Willkie Written Exercise.

Suddenly realised that “Weds 20” is not in fact Wednesday 20th February, but my personal ID number 🤣

 

[TC129129]

tbh was quite time rushed but not too bad hbu?

Found it pretty hard

 

[thelegalstudent]

Hi, would it be possible to ask for a training contract in an earlier intake than the one applied for if offered a training contract after the vacation scheme?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, would it be possible to ask for a training contract in an earlier intake than the one applied for if offered a training contract after the vacation scheme?

Yes - you can ask. Whether the firm can offer this will be dependent on a load of variable factors though.

Some firms offer waiting lists for people who want to move intakes though.

 

[Cats688]

Guys should I email withers for an update? I applied for March scheme (17th) and haven't heard back post online test. I feel like I am on the rejection pile maybe but it's ridiculous, like tell me my outcome

I'm the same, it's been ages !

 

[kelisi88]

guys, does it matter how long it takes you to do the amberjack (pw)

 

[EA95]

ye

Yeah that was it

ahh sorry again mate, hopefully you smashed the interview with Skadden.

 

[camrxc]

Morgan Lewis phone interview invite 👌

Hi, congrats! When did you receive the invite ?

 

[walterwhite]

guys, does it matter how long it takes you to do the amberjack (pw)

no, it's fortunately untimed

 

[Chris Brown]

guys, does it matter how long it takes you to do the amberjack (pw)

I think the test has been confirmed to be untimed. I took 90 minutes to do mine so I’m hoping timing won’t be an issue. 🥲

 

[Legal Wizard]

Hi, congrats! When did you receive the invite ?

Earlier today at 13:00

 

[DesperateForVac]

anyone make it past HSF assessment centre for the spring scheme 2025?

What do you mean?

 

[floral.tcla]

does anyone have any advice for how you'd go about structuring the following question, please, because it asks for soooooo many things in a short word count. I will give you a virtual cookie!

‘In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer? Please note your interviewers will have access to this answer only at interview should you be invited to an assessment day. The rest of the assessment process is entirely CV blind.’

good luck

don't ignore this pls 🥸